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How to invest in mutual funds: A guide for beginners - Bankrate

Best for general flexibility and non-retirement goals.

To buy investment funds, you typically need to open a brokerage account, fund it, and then place an order for the specific fund you want. You can choose between different vehicles like mutual funds, which are priced once daily, or Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), which trade like stocks throughout the day.

Most investors use an online brokerage to buy funds. Popular low-cost options include Vanguard , Fidelity , and Charles Schwab .